Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, are semi-aquatic mammals native to South America. They possess a barrel-shaped body and a distinctive blunt snout. Their impressive size often sparks curiosity, making their average weight a common point of interest.
The Capybara’s Typical Weight
Adult capybaras generally weigh between 35 and 66 kilograms (77 to 146 pounds). In the Venezuelan llanos, their average weight is about 48.9 kilograms (108 pounds). Male capybaras typically range from 32 to 59 kilograms (70 to 130 pounds), while females usually fall between 22 and 51 kilograms (50 to 112 pounds).
Record weights have been documented, with the heaviest wild female from Brazil reaching 91 kilograms (201 pounds) and a wild male from Uruguay recorded at 73.5 kilograms (162 pounds). Newborn capybaras are small, weighing approximately 0.9 to 1.8 kilograms (2 to 4 pounds) at birth. They experience rapid growth, often reaching up to 40 kilograms (88 pounds) by 18 weeks of age and attaining their full adult size by around 18 months.
Factors Influencing Capybara Weight
A capybara’s weight can fluctuate significantly due to several interconnected factors, including its age, sex, diet, habitat conditions, and overall health. Younger capybaras naturally weigh less than adults, progressing from a few pounds at birth to their full size as they mature around 18 months. Females generally exhibit a slightly greater body mass than males, which is a consistent observation across the species.
Diet plays a substantial role in determining a capybara’s size and condition. As herbivores, their primary food sources are grasses and aquatic plants, and an adult capybara can consume approximately 2.7 to 3.6 kilograms (6 to 8 pounds) of fresh vegetation daily. The availability and quality of food, which can vary seasonally, directly influence their ability to gain and maintain weight.
Habitat conditions also contribute to a capybara’s physical development. These semi-aquatic rodents spend considerable time near bodies of water, which are essential for hydration, thermoregulation, and protection from predators. Access to diverse vegetation and suitable water sources within their environment supports healthy growth and larger body sizes. A capybara’s general health status, including the presence of illness or injury, can lead to a reduction in weight or hinder proper development.
How Capybara Weight Compares
The capybara holds the distinction of being the largest living rodent in the world. Its closest relatives, guinea pigs, are significantly smaller, typically weighing only 0.45 to 1.36 kilograms (1 to 3 pounds).
Another large rodent, the North American beaver, commonly weighs between 11 and 30 kilograms (24 to 66 pounds), making the capybara nearly twice its size. When considering domestic animals, an adult capybara’s weight is comparable to that of a large dog breed, such as a Labrador retriever. Some exceptionally large capybaras can even rival the weight of a leopard.